Venetian blinds



A. HORAK VENETIAN BLINDS Feb. 4, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 23, 1955 INVENTOR. By ANNA Homk HER ,fl7 7'0R/VEX A. HORAK VENETIAN BLINDS Feb. 4, 1958 Filed Aug. 23, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alma HOE/4K w/W J/ER ATTORNEY- I Y! III 2; e

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A. HORAK VENETIAN BLINDS Feb. 4, 1958 2,822,043

Filed Aug. 23. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ANNA HoRAK 112R ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 2,822,043 VENETIAN'BLINDS Anna Horak, Berwyn, 111. Application August 23, 1955, Serial No. 530,028

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-172) My invention relates to certain new and useful im-- provements in Venetian blinds.

An object of my invention is the provision in a Venetian blind of a plurality of slats which are mounted in a substantially vertical plane for horizontal movement and for rotation about a vertical axis.

Another and equally important object of the invention is to provide a Venetian blind of the construction hereinafter set forth which will be smooth and simple in operation and easily maintained for cleanliness; a Venetian blind in which the slats may be rotated about their vertical axes through a 360 circle and in any desired partially open or closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Venetian blind in which the slats are arranged in substantially vertical position in a manner such that the blind may be used for windows, doors, room dividers, as well as other openmgs.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the Venetian blind embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the same; 1

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a Venetian blind slat together with certain of its operating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail view showing adjacent slats of the blind in closed position but with the blind not being fully transversely extended; and i Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional detail view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts thereof in partially retracted position.

The several objects of my invention are accomplished by the preferred form of construction shown inthe accompanying drawings. In this connection a head structure is indicated at 10. This head structure comprises a back plate 11 and side plates 12 secured together in any suitable manner. The side plates 12 are adapted to be attached in any suitable manner to the adjacent side walls of the window or door casing. The free edge portions of the side plates 12 are connected together by a transversely extending bar 13. Within the head structure is a horizontally extending plate 14. Formed in this plate j 14 in aligned relation with respect to each other are elongated slots 15. j p lVlounted for movement relative torthe plate are 09- ice the arms 16 and the plate 14 (Fig. 3). The end sleeves 23 of the sleeves 18 are fixed to the plate 14 in any suitable manner. The sleeves 18 project downwardly from the arms 16 through the slots 15 and are guided by such slots in their extended and retracted movements.

The extension and retraction of the arms is accomplished by an operating cord 24 of any suitable material. This operating cord passes through a guide loop 25 carried by a partition 26 provided in the head structure 10. The cord 24 is connected to the free ends of the arms 16 by clips 27 (Fig. 2). The cord extends from the loop 25 through guide tubes 28 carried by a plate 29 provided by the head structure 10.

The end portions 30 of the cord 24 extend down along one side of the ,Venetian blind within convenient reach of the operator.

Secured to each of the sleeves 18 by means of a hook 31 is an elongated bar 32 having a thread formed body portion 33, the threads of each being relatively long.

These bars 32 each have their long end portions provided with hooks 34 adapted for hooked engagement with a slat 35 by insertion through a slot 36. Formed in the lower end portion of each of the slats 35 is an opening 37 through which a hook 38 of a connecting wire 39 is projected. The end of this wire 39 is projected through an ,one of the Venetian blind slats. These clips are preferably forrned of suitable metal. The tape 42 is flexible for reasons hereinafter set forth. The tape is divided into two sections 44 and 45. The adjacent ends of the tape sections and 45 are detachably connected together by a hook and eye construction 46.

The opposite end portions of the tape sections by means of a similar hook and eye construction 47 are connected to plates 48 which are adapted to be secured to the adjacent face of the window frame or door with which my improved Venetian blind is used.

Secured to the plate at opposite ends thereof is a bar 49, in each of which is rotatably journalled a depending rotatable thread bearing stud shaft 49.

Fixed to each of these stud shafts in substantially the same plane is a sprocket gear 50. The sprocket gears 50 are connected together by a sprocket chain 51.

An operating cord 52 is connected to the sprocket chain 51 by means of clips 53. The cord 52 loops around a guide plate 54 carried by the plate 12. The opposite end portions 55 of the operating cord 52 pass through a guide structure 56 carried by the adjacent plate 12. These end portions 55 extend along the Venetian blind at one side thereof within easy reach of the operator.

As hereinbefore indicated, the Venetian blind slats are supported by the structure hereinbefore described in substantially vertical spaced relation with respect to each other. When the arms 16 are in their extreme extended position as shown in Fig. 2, the Venetian blind slats 35 will be evenly spaced from each other. The slats may be moved to open position by retracting the arms 16. This is accomplished by pulling on the operating cord 24, which by virtue of its connection with the free end portions of the arms by means of the clips 27, functions a aaass when pulled in one diretcion to retract the arms-andwhen pulled in the opposite direction, to expand the same. By this arrangement, from a vertical center line with respect to the opening within which theVenetiarrblind is mounted, the slats 35' may bemovedfrom *opposite "sidesof such line'into full or partially open position as desired. The closing or partial closing of the Venetian blindslats is accomplished bymanipulating the operating" cord' 52. When one end portion of the operating cord 52"is' pulled. the sprocket gears 50'willberotated'to'rotate thestud shafts 49. These studshafts 49'thread through blocks 56" fixedly mounted iniopposite' endportionstof ahorizontally extendingbar 57. .This'b ar57 is channel-shaped in cross-section asbest seen'inFig. 6, andisprovidedwith a longitudinallyextending slbt"58"throughwhich work 'the' thread bearing portions33 of. the bars'32. "Consemultaneous rotation," arroperatingcord-connected to said chain for moving said chain over said wheels to rotate the same, an actuating bar threadably connected to said shafts in a substantially horizontal plane below and in spaced parallel relation to said plate and moveable in a vertical plane with respect thereto when said shafts are rotated, said connecting ,meanszjncluding hook elements for removeably connecting said. slats to said sleeves with one of said elementsprovidinga'threadable connection with said bar whereby vertical -movement of said bar transmits a rotatable movement to said hook element and said slats.

2. A Venetiamblind cor 1 1p1:isi ng.a v plurality of vertically disposed slats, a head structure for said slats including a horizontally extending plate having an interrupted slot quently,'when the stud shafts 49 are rotated in'onefdirection, say for example. tothe left asviewed' in Fig.3, the bar 57 will' be extended downwardly. As the bar57 moves downwardly, it acts upon 'the'thread bearingportions'33 of the bars'32, rotating the same in a counterclockwise direction, thus to openithe slats 35 to' full or partially open position. By rotating the stud shafts 49 in an opposite direction, the bar 57 will moveupwardly and as it moves upwardly it will operate upon'the'thread bearing portions33 ofthe bars 32 and rotatethe slats in a clockwise direction to'full or partially closed position. It will be noted that when the slats are moved from. opposite sides of a central vertical line between the plates 12,, the ends of'the tape sections '44 and'45 are disconnected by unhooking the hook and eye connection 46 to permit the tape section to move in 'theidirectionof movementof thev Venetian blind slats.

The Venetian blind slats may be formed in any'desirable. shape or material and may be of any color.

From'the' foregoing description it will be apparent-that slats .thereof may. be .smoothly and. easily adjusted with respect to each other to suit the. desire offthe opera-tor. As the slats of the blind are supported in a vertical position and are arranged so thatboth sides of the slats may be exposed to the operator, it is apparent that cleaning of the slats becomes a minor, problem. It will also be. ap-

parent that because-of their vertical position, dust and dirt and other. debris is-not likely to accumulate on. the slats as is the case where the .slats ofa Venetian ,blindare supported in a horizontal position.

While I have illustrated..-and,.described: thegpreferred form of construction forccar-rying, my invention intoeffect, this is capable of variation-and. modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to belimitedto the-precise.- details of construction set forth, butrdesire.-.to.avail myself of, such variations and modificationsmsrcome withinthe scope of the appended claims.

:necting said slats to saidsleeves an operatingcord lfix edly connected to each of said arms for moving-.Isaidarms over said. plate and. said sleevescarried. thereby. through said slots in oppositedirection through a.horizontal;plane, a thread bearing stud .shaft at each endof .said.plate and supported thereby for rotationabout; i-tslong. axis,,hori-.

zontally disposed sprocket whe'els carried by saidshafts below and inspaced relation to' said 'plate, a, flexible. chain for operatively connecting s'aid"wheels togeltherfor 'siformed therein, a pair of spaced apart extendible arms carried by and above said plate, a plurality of sleeves carried by said arms and projecting through each portion of saidslotwith each sleeve having an'enlarged head portion for engagement with one side of said arm, there "being one sleeve for each -of' said slats, means for connecting saidslats tosaid sleeves, means fixedly connected to ea'ch-of' said" arms'for-moving said arms over said plate and said sleeves carriedthereby through saidslots *inopposite-directionthrougha ho'rizontal plane; a thread bearingstudphaft ateach-end' of' said plate and supported thereby for 'rotation'about its long axis, horizontally dispcse'd sprocket' wheels carriedby said" shafts below and 'in spaced relation to said plate, a flexible chain for opcrativ'ely' connecting said "wheelsitogether 1 for simultaneous rotation, means connected to' said chain for moving saidchain; 'ovensaidw'vheels to rotate the same, an actuating"barxthreadably connected to said shafts in. a substantially horizontal planebelow and'in spaced paral- "lel'-1"ela'tion"tosaid plate'and moveable in avertical plane I have provided. a Venetian blind construction wherein the with respect thereto when said shafts are rotated, said connecting .rneans'in cluding hook elements for removably connecting said slats. to said sleeves with one of said cle- 'ments providing a threa'dable connection with said bar 40 whereby vertical movement of said. bar transmits a rof tatable movementtosaidhook element and said slats.

3. A Venetiarrbli-nd comprising a plurality of vertically disposed slats, a head structure for" said. slats including a' horizontally extending. plateha'ving an interrupted slot formed therein, a pairof" spaced apart extcndible arms carried by and abovesaid. plate, with opposite ends of each (if-said arms'fixedto said plate at either end of said. interrupted slot, a plurality of .sleeves carried by 'saidarms and projecting through each portion of said slot with each sleeve having an.enla rged head portion for' engagement with one side of said arm, therebeing one sleeve for each of said slats, meansfor connecting 'said slats to said sleeves;--an"operating cord fixedly connected-toea'ch ofsaid arms for moving said arms over 5 said plate .and said sleeves carried thereby through said slots in oppositedirections through a horizontal plane, a thread bearing 'stud' shaft at each end of said plate and supported thereby for rotation about its longaxis,.hori- :zontally' disposed sprocket'Wheels carried by said shafts below andimspacd relation to said plate, a flexible chain for operatively connecting said wheels together. for simultaneous'rotation, an operatingcord connected to saidchain' for moving said chain over said wheels to 4 rotate the same, an'actuating'bar threadably connected to said shafts in a substantially horizontal plane below and in spacedparallel' relation to said plate and moveable in a verti'caLp'lane with respect thereto when said shafts are rotated, said connecting means including a hook element carried byandfreely journalled through said sleeves 701. and adaptedfor" rotatablemovement relative thereto, a

bar whereby vertical movement of said bar transmits a rotatable movement to said hook element and said slats.

4. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of vertically disposed slats, a head structure for said slats including a horizontally extending plate having an interrupted slot formed therein, a pair of spaced apart extendible arms carried by and above said plate, with opposite ends of each of said arms fixed to said plate at either end of said interrupted slot, a plurality of sleeves carried by said arms and projecting through each portion of said slot with each sleeve having an enlarged head portion for engagement with one side of said arm, there being one sleeve for each of said slats, means for connecting said slats to said sleeves, means fixedly connected to each of said arms for moving said arms over said plate and said sleeves carried thereby through said slots in opposite direction through a horizontal plane, a thread bearing stud shaft at each end of said plate and supported thereby for rotation about its long axis, horizontally disposed sprocket wheels carried by said shafts below and in spaced relation to said plate, a flexible chain for operatively con meeting said wheels together for simultaneous rotation, means connected to said chain for moving said chain over said wheels to rotate the same, an actuating bar threadably connected to said shafts in a substantially horizontal plane below and in spaced parallel relation to said plate and moveable in a vertical plane with respect thereto when said shafts are rotated said connecting means including a hook element carried by and freely journalled through said sleeves and adapted for rotatable movement relative thereto, a connecting bar having at one end a clip for removable connection to said slots and having at its opposite end a removable connection to said hook element, said connecting bar having a threadable connection with said bar whereby vertical movement of said bar transmits a rotatable movement to said hook element and said slats.

5. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of vertically disposed slats, a head structure for said slats including a horizontally extending plate having an interrupted slot formed therein, a pair of spaced apart extendible arms carried by and above said plate, with opposite ends of each of said arms fixed to said plate at either end of said interrupted slot, a plurality of sleeves carried by said arms and projecting through each portion of said slot with each sleeve having an enlarged head portion for engagement with one side of said ar-m, there being one sleeve for each of said slats, means for connecting said slats to said sleeves, means fixedly connected to each of said arms for moving said arms over said plate and said sleeves carried thereby through said slots in opposite direction through a horizontal plane, a thread bearing stud shaft at each end of said plate and supported thereby for rotation about its long axis, horizontally disposed sprocket wheels carried by said shafts below and in spaced relation to said plate, a flexible chain for operatively connecting said Wheels together for simultaneous rotation, means connected to said chain for moving said chain over said wheels to rotate the same, an actuating bar threadably connected to said shafts in a substantially horizontal plane below and in spaced parallel relation to said plate and moveable in a vertical plane with respect thereto when said shafts are rotated, said bar having formed throughout its longitudinal length the slot corresponding to and in spaced parallel relation to the interrupted slot formed in said plate, said connecting means including hook elements for removeable connecting said slats to said sleeves with one of said elements providing a threadable connection in the slot of said bar whereby vertical movement of said bar transmits a rotatable movement to said hook element and said slats.

6. A Venetian blind as defined by claim 5 wherein said head structure provides at opposite ends thereof guiding structures for maintaining said operating cords in spaced apart parallel relation with respect to each other within said head structure and for disposing said cords therefrom on either side of said Venetian blind.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,708,636 Shook Apr. 9, 1929 2,556,942 Reimuller June 12, 1951 2,587,859 King Mar. 4, 1952 2,625,219 Peck Jan. 13, 1953 2,680,480 Harju June 8, 1954 

